The American Civil Liberties Union is spearheading a new campaign against system racism with the long-term aim of dismantling “the book of rules for how we govern.”
A YouTube video titled “Systemic Equality: Addressing America’s Legacy of Racism” spotlights the civil rights group’s two-year, $10 million initiative.
“There is no equality. There is no justice. There is no ’more perfect union’ for Black people in this country if we do not name systemic racism — systemic racism in our past, in our present, and in our future tenses,” the spot’s narrator says. “Yes, yes, if we undo, if we redo, if we make anew the book of rules for how we govern, we can have a system of equals, equal systems, systemic equality for all people.”
Footage playing during the clarion call for change shows a woman whose side reads: “Defund the NYPD.”
A statement released by ACLU Executive Director Anthony Romero focused on the threat of “white supremacy.”
“We are committed to using our nationwide network of litigators, advocates, and supporters, the strongest ACLU we have ever known, to dismantle white supremacy,” Mr. Romero wrote. “Whether it is voter suppression, inequitable broadband access or the racial wealth gap, we are clear that ‘we the people’ must truly include all of us.”
The problem is difficult to solve because “racial hierarchy and racial caste are woven into the very fabric of our society,” he added.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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